Communication assistance system and method
First Claim
1. A billing system for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers, the system comprising:
- a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of requesters desiring access to said information corresponding to subscribers;
a database configured to store said information corresponding to each of said subscribers, including phone numbers of each of said subscribers; and
a billing record database coupled to said switch configured to store information corresponding to amount of time requester was connected to each one of said subscribers, wherein said communication assistance system provides instructions to said subscriber'"'"'s service provider such that said subscriber is not billed for said call.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A billing system is provided for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers. The billing system and communication assistance system include a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of requesters desiring access to the information corresponding to subscribers. A database stores the information corresponding to each of the subscribers, including their phone numbers. A billing record database is coupled to the switch and configured to store information corresponding to amount of time the requester was connected to each one of the subscribers. The communication assistance system provides instructions to the subscriber'"'"'s service provider such that the subscriber is not billed for the call.
23 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A billing system for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers, the system comprising:
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a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of requesters desiring access to said information corresponding to subscribers;
a database configured to store said information corresponding to each of said subscribers, including phone numbers of each of said subscribers; and
a billing record database coupled to said switch configured to store information corresponding to amount of time requester was connected to each one of said subscribers, wherein said communication assistance system provides instructions to said subscriber'"'"'s service provider such that said subscriber is not billed for said call. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communication assistance system for providing access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers, the system comprising:
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a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of requesters desiring to access said information corresponding to subscribers; and
a database directory listing storing information corresponding to each one of said subscribers, said information including a Rate Plan field associated with billing rates corresponding to each one of said subscribers. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A communication assistance system for providing access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers, the system comprising:
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a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of requesters desiring access to said information corresponding to subscribers wherein said switch is configured to generate an incoming call information record containing a Feature Code field associated with a subscription rate plan corresponding to service provider rates for each one of said requesters; and
a database accessible by an operator terminal and configured to store said information corresponding to each of said subscribers, including phone numbers of each of said subscribers. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A billing system for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers, the system comprising:
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a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of requesters desiring access to said information corresponding to subscribers wherein said switch is configured to generate an incoming call information record containing a Feature Code field associated with a subscription rate plan corresponding to service provider rates for each one of said requesters; and
a database directory listing storing information corresponding to each one of said subscribers including their phone number, said information including a Rate Plan field associated with billing rates corresponding to each one of said subscribers; and
a billing record database coupled to said switch configured to store information corresponding to amount of time requester was connected to each one of said subscribers, wherein said communication assistance system provides instructions to said subscriber'"'"'s service provider such that said subscriber is not billed for said call.
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25. A method of operating a billing system for a communication assistance system that provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving calls from a plurality of a requesters desiring to access said information corresponding to subscribers at a telephone switch;
accessing a first database and retrieving said information corresponding to a subscriber, including phone numbers of each of said subscribers;
storing information corresponding to said requester accessing said information and an amount of time said requester was connected to each one of said subscribers in a billing record database; and
instructing said subscriber'"'"'s service provider not to bill said subscriber or said call.
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26. A method of operating a communication assistance system for providing access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving calls from a plurality of a requesters desiring to access said information corresponding to subscribers at a telephone switch; and
storing information corresponding to each one of said subscribers in a database directory listing, said information including a Rate Plan field associated with billing rates corresponding to each one of said subscribers.
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27. A method of operating a communication assistance system for providing access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving calls from a plurality of a requesters desiring to access said information corresponding to subscribers at a telephone switch;
generating an incoming call information record containing a Feature Code field associated with a subscription rate plan corresponding to service provider rates for each one of said requesters; and
accessing a first database and retrieving said information corresponding to each of said subscribers, including phone numbers of each of said subscribers.
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Specification